Snowball Pleco (L102)
Hypancistrus inspector
Snowball Pleco (L102) (Hypancistrus inspector) — Intermediate care, Peaceful, under Catfish & Cory. Minimum tank in the app: 40 US gal min; aim for 79–86°F and pH 6–7.5. Details below match the app.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator’s origin map.
Snowball Pleco (L102) Tank Setup
Plan for at least 40 US gal min of water—that is the minimum in our database for a workable setup, not a challenge to crowd fish. Aim to hold 79–86°F and pH 6–7.5 without daily drama. These fish use the Bottom zone most, so put wood, plants, or open water there accordingly.
What Do Snowball Plecos Eat?
We record diet as Omnivore (detritivore). Offer a few food types that match—dry, frozen, or gel—and swap now and then. One flake every day for a year is how dull color and gut trouble creep in.
Snowball Pleco (L102) Tank Mates
Temperament in the data: Peaceful. Warm water L-number pleco. Requires high oxygen and good flow. Males territorial with other plecos. Plug your full stock list into the stocking calculator—single-species compatibility scores are hints, not a whole-tank verdict.
Are Snowball Plecos Good for Beginners?
We rate this as intermediate. Budget time for testing, maintenance, and watching behaviour if the water looks fine but the fish do not. If this would be your very first tank, start with something more forgiving and come back to this one.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Similar fish to consider
Log tests and reminders in App-aquatic—free, same data you see here.